The Creation of The Mainframe Computer Mainframe Computers also known as "Big Irons" are massive computers that are mostly used to process bulk amounts of information. Mainframe computers began to became more mainstream for large companies and organisations to have in the 50's. These computers were originally invented by IBM because of a man named Howard Aiken. Howard was a Harvard Researcher who needed to solve multiple non-linear calculations but when he approached his colleges and proposed that they build a calculator that could solve these problems he was turned down. He was also turned down when he approached the Monroe Calculating Company. Eventually IBM decided to help him make this calculator of sorts and $200 000 dollars later Howard and IBM had created the Harvard Mark 1. This computer weighed 5-tons and was 51-feet long. The Harvard Mark 1 made its first calculation in 1943 but over the next 15 years it didn't accomplish much. Even still this marks the first mainframe computer in history.
Howard H. Aiken
Harvard Mark 1
History Main frame computers really started to evolve around the year 1950. Although it is worth noting the mainframe that was created in the 40's known as "Colossus" that the British used to break German code being sent by a decoder called "Enigma" and win WWII. Mainframe computers started to evolve with the creation of the UNIVAC (also known as Universal Automatic Computer) which took great inspiration from the previous model the EDVAC. The UNIVAC was the first commercial computer as 46 units were sold to organisations such as governments or big businesses. This machine could not only be used for computations but also to process data. The UNIVAC Had 5 200 vacuum tubes, mostly in the processor, and it weighed 29 000 pounds. Also at the same time IBM came out with there own model of a mainframe computer known as The IBM 701 which was very similar to the UNIVAC and this marks the start of IBM's Dominance in the late 20th Century. All through out the 50's and 60's IBM came out with new iterations of mainframe computers such as: The IBM 704, The IBM 1401 Data Processing System, The IBM 7090, and IBM 7030 also known as the stretch. Through out this time many other companies made mainframe computers none were as dominant as IBM's. After years of making many different models of mainframe computers IBM had one problem, their computers weren't compatible with each other, making it very hard to supply different hardware for their customers who had varying models of computers. IBM's solution to this problem came with the introduction of the "IBM's System/360 Series" which was a compatible line of computers, something we take for granted. The System/360 has changed computers forever. Now IBM is still the leading company for mainframe computers because of their newest models such as the Z13 and the LinuxOne Rockhopper. Mainframe computers are still evolving to this day and are key assets to major companies who need to process lots of Data.
The Creation of The Mainframe Computer
Mainframe Computers also known as "Big Irons" are massive computers that are mostly used to process bulk amounts of information. Mainframe computers began to became more mainstream for large companies and organisations to have in the 50's. These computers were originally invented by IBM because of a man named Howard Aiken. Howard was a Harvard Researcher who needed to solve multiple non-linear calculations but when he approached his colleges and proposed that they build a calculator that could solve these problems he was turned down. He was also turned down when he approached the Monroe Calculating Company. Eventually IBM decided to help him make this calculator of sorts and $200 000 dollars later Howard and IBM had created the Harvard Mark 1. This computer weighed 5-tons and was 51-feet long. The Harvard Mark 1 made its first calculation in 1943 but over the next 15 years it didn't accomplish much. Even still this marks the first mainframe computer in history.
History
Main frame computers really started to evolve around the year 1950. Although it is worth noting the mainframe that was created in the 40's known as "Colossus" that the British used to break German code being sent by a decoder called "Enigma" and win WWII. Mainframe computers started to evolve with the creation of the UNIVAC (also known as Universal Automatic Computer) which took great inspiration from the previous model the EDVAC. The UNIVAC was the first commercial computer as 46 units were sold to organisations such as governments or big businesses. This machine could not only be used for computations but also to process data. The UNIVAC Had 5 200 vacuum tubes, mostly in the processor, and it weighed 29 000 pounds. Also at the same time IBM came out with there own model of a mainframe computer known as The IBM 701 which was very similar to the UNIVAC and this marks the start of IBM's Dominance in the late 20th Century. All through out the 50's and 60's IBM came out with new iterations of mainframe computers such as: The IBM 704, The IBM 1401 Data Processing System, The IBM 7090, and IBM 7030 also known as the stretch. Through out this time many other companies made mainframe computers none were as dominant as IBM's. After years of making many different models of mainframe computers IBM had one problem, their computers weren't compatible with each other, making it very hard to supply different hardware for their customers who had varying models of computers. IBM's solution to this problem came with the introduction of the "IBM's System/360 Series" which was a compatible line of computers, something we take for granted. The System/360 has changed computers forever. Now IBM is still the leading company for mainframe computers because of their newest models such as the Z13 and the LinuxOne Rockhopper. Mainframe computers are still evolving to this day and are key assets to major companies who need to process lots of Data.
Links
Great In-Depth Page on The History of Mainframe Computers
Wikipedia: Not 100% Reliable but good all round page
Wikipedia: Information on Howard H. Aiken
Good Information on Mainframe Computers
IBM: Great Reliable Page on Mainframe Computers
Questions
1) How much money did the first Mainframe (Harvard Mark 1) cost to build
a) 15 000
b) 1 000 000
c) 50 000
d) 200 000
2) Who is the leading mainframe computer manufacturer
a) Dell
b) IBM
c) Intel
d) Alien-ware
Answers
1) d
2) b